Derek Lam Runway Retrospective

Derek Lam Is the Heir Apparent to the American Sportswear Kingdom

Derek Lam made his Fashion Week debut in 2003, sending out a collection that would mark a new era in crisp, clean, American sportswear. He redefined the classics, crafting a cool line of looks that felt utterly modern thanks to smart tailoring and attention to detail. What remains in each reincarnation is an unmistakably chic aesthetic — effortless, easy, and wearable. He loves color as much as he loves black; he experiments as much with the classics as he does with edgier designs and prints but continues to deliver a clever mix of the slick and the feminine. Click through for a look back at the San Francisco-born designer's runways and see exactly what we mean.